MHPSS is a platform where the Government of Botswana and its partners come together to assess the potential for mental health and psychosocial support. The theme of the event was 'Innovate, Integrate And Thrive'. While those in Mahalapye attended in person, the Assistant Minister of Local Government, Mabuse Pule and Mahalapye West Member of Parliament David Tshere, as well as participants in Chobe, Phikwe and Okavango sub-districts, attended the three-day forum virtually. Welcoming the stakeholders to the forum, Kgosi Tshipe Frank Tshipe said children who need counselling and support are usually neglected. He said the children face many forms of abuse.
“It’s worse with COIVD-19 because they lose loved ones, teachers and family members and therefore need counselling,” he said, adding that the children should be given a platform to show how they want to live. Giving the objectives of the forum Mahalapye sub-district Social Protection Director, Joseph Kgabanyane said there was a need to come together with stakeholders and NCC to discuss the effects of COVID-19. “Things have changed and we are losing the youth, 35 to 45 years and they leave young children and parents. How do we deal with this issue?” he said.
